Police urge vigilance after Thursday shooting

MOSES LAKE — Police are cautioning Moses Lake residents to have a heightened awareness of potential gang activity as they continue to investigate a shooting Thursday night that wounded one.

The shooting occurred around 7:30 p.m. Thursday at a residence on North Central Drive, near West Loop Drive. A group of individuals reportedly went to a nearby residence, where there was a confrontation.

It is currently unclear what spurred the confrontation, but police said that guns were displayed, escalating tensions and leading to an exchange of gunfire. At least two guns were fired, one on each side of the conflict, police said. Most of the individuals involved reportedly fled the scene after one was struck in the leg by a .40-caliber bullet.

The wounded man ran back into a nearby house, where police initially provided first aid before he was transported out of the area for intensive medical treatment. A few suspects were detained for interviews, but were uncooperative, police said, and the shooter is not currently in custody.

Investigations Sgt. Brian Jones, of the Moses Lake Police Department, asked residents in Moses Lake to keep an eye out for gang-related activity, particularly multiple individuals wearing clothing of the same color while traveling together. Jones asks that suspicious activity be reported to the MLPD.